Route 79/I-195
Interchange Reconstruction Project
Fall River, MA
2.
PURPOSE AND NEED
2.1
Project Purpose
PART 1
NEPA
Environmental Assessment
The purpose of the project is to promote safety by addressing the structurally deficient
bridges that are part of the Route 79/I-195 Interchange and thereby reduce life-cycle
maintenance costs of the interchange structures.
2.2
Project Need
As discussed below, the project is needed to address the structurally deficient elements of
the interchange and reduce life-cycle costs, but the project will also address other goals in
the project area.
2.2.1
Address Safety of Structural Deficiencies
A structurally deficient bridge is one for which the deck (driving surface), the
superstructure (supports immediately beneath the driving surface), or the substructure
(foundation and supporting columns and piers) are rated in condition 4 or less on a scale
of 0-9 (0 being the lowest rating, and 9 being the best rating). Structural deficiency does
not necessarily imply that a bridge is unsafe. It does, however, mean that a structure has
deteriorated to the point of needing repairs to prevent vehicular weight restrictions on it.
The Route 79/I-195 Interchange includes a system of multiple-span viaduct and ramp
bridge structures, built in 1965, which accommodate Route 79 and the various
interchange traffic movements. The system includes 111 spans that are identified as one
facility in the state bridge inventory as Bridge Number F-02-059. The spans are further
subdivided by 11 separate bridge segments designated by individual Bridge Identification
Numbers (BINs). The concrete bridge decks, steel superstructures, and steel and concrete
substructures have been in a continual state of deterioration for a number of years.
Emergency interim repairs have been required on 10 of the 11 bridge segments as a result
of advanced corrosion and deterioration discovered during periodic bridge inspections.
Since 1999, approximately 94% of the structural steel in the superstructure has been rated
as deficient and identified as needing on-going emergency repairs. As of the December
2010 bridge inspection, 10 of the 11 bridge segments are categorized as structurally
deficient.
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Purpose and Need 2-1
Route 79/I-195
Interchange Reconstruction Project
Fall River, MA
PART 1
NEPA
Environmental Assessment
To address deteriorating conditions, a $10 million emergency repair contract was
advertised and awarded in the summer of 2010. Repairs are underway and will maintain
the viaduct and ramps for safe travel until the Interchange Reconstruction Project is
constructed.
2.2.2
Reduce Life-cycle Maintenance Costs
As discussed in Section 1.3, in 2009 an independent Value Engineering (VE) Study
recommended modifying the scope of the proposed rehabilitation work and suggested
alternatives that would remove the Route 79 viaduct and replace it with a more cost
effective roadway that would be combined with Route 138/Davol Street. Further studies
have confirmed the feasibility of removing the existing viaduct and ramp bridge
structures, and reconfiguring the interchange to include at-grade roadways. The At-Grade
(Preferred) alternative will remove 9 structurally deficient bridges and result in a
substantial reduction in life-cycle maintenance and repair costs. The 2009 Route 79 and
Ramps Improvement Study concluded that a life-cycle savings of approximately $16
million to $20 million would be realized with an at-grade interchange.
2.2.3
Address Safety of Substandard Roadway Geometry
Three areas within the Route 79/I-195 interchange currently exhibit vehicular safety
issues partly as a result of substandard roadway geometry. Two areas are weave sections
and one is a merge junction. The project will make changes to improve these areas and
address the vehicular safety problems. The safety issues in the project area are further
discussed in Section 4.4.2.
2.3 Project Goals
Goals for the project were identified in the city’s master plan and through MassDOT’s
alternatives study. MassDOT’s alternatives study involved input from the public and a
Task Force made up of local and regional stakeholders. In addition to determining how
well each alternative met the project’s purpose and need, the alternatives were also
evaluated on how each could meet the key goals that are discussed in this section.
2.3.1 Improve System Linkage Connections from I-195 and Route 79 to the City, Other
Roadway Networks, and Cultural Attractions
There is a need to improve access to and from the Route 79 viaduct and adjacent city
streets. Access from I-195 eastbound and westbound currently requires circuitous and
confusing travel routing in order to arrive at Fall River Heritage State Park and Battleship
Cove. Multi-modal (pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and vehicle) access is needed between
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Purpose and Need 2-2
Route 79/I-195
Interchange Reconstruction Project
Fall River, MA
PART 1
NEPA
Environmental Assessment
the waterfront to the west of the project area and the Central Business District (CBD) to
the east of the project area.
2.3.2
Meet Legislative Funding Requirements
The project is included in the MassDOT Accelerated Bridge Program (ABP), a $3 billion
statewide program passed by the Massachusetts Legislature to repair and replace
structurally deficient bridges. The goal of the Accelerated Bridge Program is to reduce
the number of structurally deficient bridges in the state over an 8-year timeframe ending
in 2016. Going forward with this project would make a substantial contribution to
meeting the goals of the ABP since the Interchange Reconstruction Project will address
several structurally deficient bridges.
2.3.3
Improve Project Area Aesthetics
The Route 79 viaduct has been identified by the city and stakeholders as a blighting
influence on the waterfront (Photo 2-1). Part of the Route 79/I-195 Interchange is located
within the American Printing Company-Metacomet Mill Historic District. The viaduct is
not compatible with the adjacent 19th century brick mill buildings. The project will
improve the visual environment of historic, cultural, and recreation facilities in the
project area.
Photo 2-1 Existing Viaduct
The viaduct has a negative impact on the visual environment along the waterfront.
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Purpose and Need 2-3
Route 79/I-195
Interchange Reconstruction Project
Fall River, MA
PART 1
NEPA
Environmental Assessment
2.3.4 Minimize Impacts to Historic and Cultural Resources
The City of Fall River’s 2009 Master Plan identifies its historic and cultural resources as
key elements in its future. The project area includes the National Register-listed
American Printing Company-Metacomet Mill Historic District and includes two stone
arch bridges that are National Register-eligible. The project is also within view of three
National Historic Landmark U.S. Navy vessels in Battleship Cove. Minimizing impacts
to historic resources and enhancing them is a goal of the project.
2.3.5 Remain Consistent With Local, Regional, and Statewide Transportation and
Community Development Plans
The city’s Master Plan includes emphasis on improving access from Route 79 and I-195
to Heritage State Park; improving the condition and appearance of the interchange; and
improving views and access to the waterfront. The Metropolitan Planning Organization’s
Regional Transportation Plan recommends making repairs to structurally deficient
bridges as quickly as possible. The project should be consistent with state and federal
initiatives including the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the South Coast Rail Economic
Development and Land Use Corridor Plan.
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Purpose and Need 2-4